Grease-charging apparatus



Feb. 7, 1928. 1,658,483 H. J. ENGBRECHT GREASE CHARGING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 10, 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 7, 1928.

H. J.'ENGBRECHT GREASE CHARGING AFPAHATUS Filed Oct. 10, 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 7, 1928; 1,658,483

H. J. ENGBRECHT GREASE CHARGING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 10, 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 yh/z Feb. 7, 1928.

H. J. ENGBRECHT GREASE CHARGING APPARATUS Filed Oct. '10, 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet, 6

m I, 7 I u 5 Feb. 7, 1928. 1,658,483

H. J. ENGBRECHT GREASE CHARGING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 10, 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet, 7

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Feb. 7, 1928.

H. J. ENGBRECHT GREASE CHARGING APPARATUS Filed 001;. 10, 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet a 7 J62 V//////V///W/////// Feb. 7, 1928.

H. J. EN GBRECHT GREASE CHARGING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet. 9

Filed Oct 1 l I lllllllllllllllllll shown in section.

Patented Feb. 7, 1928.

V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERMAN J. ENGBBECHT, OF CHICAGO, IIJiINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO STANDARD OIL cox- PANY, F WRITING, INDIANA, CORPORATION 01 INDIANA.

emsn-cnmmo APPARATUS.

Application men October 10, 1025. Seriall'o. 01,101.

accumulations existing therein and supplythe bearings with fresh grease; to plovide an a paratus for this purpose by the use of whic the greasing operation may be qu ckly effected; to provi e a fiuid-pressure-operated ap aratus of the character stated; to pro .w e for the automatic charging of the grease-forcing element of the apparatus with grease; to provide for accurate control,

by the operator, of the pressure at which 0 the grease is supplied 'to the .bearlngs to be lubrlcated; to provide in an sip aratus mvolving reciprocatory piston mec anism for placing the grease under pressure, forthe automatic operation' of the piston mechanism in. opposite directions to render the apparatus continuously o' erating without the requirement of manua manipulation of the control of the power fluid to the piston mechanism; to provide for'the relieving of the-pressure in the hose-lines through which the grease is conducted to the bearing, in

the event that the accumulations in the bearings resist the 'forcing of the grease into -them under the pressure in me hose-line:

'35 and other objects as will be manifcstfrom the followingdescription:

' Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of an apparatus embodying my invention, the hose-lines through which the grease is conducted to the to be lubricated, being of a grease-container forming a portion of the apparatus... Figure 3 -'is a broken sectional view "taken at the line 33 on Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrows. Figure 4 is a broken plan sectional view taken at the line 4 on Fig. 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. Figure-5 is a plan sectional view taken at the line 5- on Fig. 3 and "iewed in the direction of the arrow. Figure 6 is a broken sectional view taken at the line 6 on Fig. 2 and viewed in to the bear-- igure 2 is a plan view the direction of the arrow, this view showing a pet-cock-eiuipped portion of the grease container. igure 7 I is a broken section taken at the line 7 on Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrow, this view showing a portion of the mechanism by which the head at the upper endof the grease container may be rotated to screw it into, or out of, assembled relation to the;other parts of the container. Figure 8 is a tional. view of the container taken at the line 8-8 on Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows. Figure 9 is a plan sectional view of certain of the valved pipe connections associated with the container, the section being taken at the line 9 on Fig. .1 and viewed in the direction of the arrow, the main valve therein shown being illustrated in the position it occupies for supplying pressure above the piston in the grease container in the initial functioning of the apparatus. Figure 10 is a similar view of the valve just referred to showing the posiplan section it occupies for opening the space in the grease container above the piston, to the piston and'cylinder mechanism provided to lace the grease under the desired pressure. igure 11 is a similar view showing the valve in the ing fluid un er pressure from the sourceof mec anism. Figure 12 is a lan sectional view taken ,at theirregular line 1212 on Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows, the grease container being shown by dotted lines, this view showing one of the plurality of hose-lines throu h which the grease 1s conducted to the ring to be lubricated. Figure 13 is a broken sectional supply thereof, to the piston and cylinder sition it occupies for supply- 7 view. of a nipple-equipped bearing to be.

lubricated and thefitting-equip outlet end of the hose-line," the hoee- 'ne being shown as assembled with the nipple in ppsition to discharge grease into t Figure 14 is a view in side elevation of the nipple of Fig. 14. Figure 15 is an end view -of thernipple of Fig. 14. Figure 16 is a side view of the fitting on t e hose-line.

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Figure 17 is a plan sectional view, with certain parts omitted, of valve mechanism controlling the introduction of fluidinto thev iston and cylinder mechanism for placing grease under the dsired presits sure, and controlling the exhaust from this mechanism. Figure 18 is a section taken at the line 1818 on Fig.1 and viewed in the direction of the arrow, this View showing 6 the internal mechanism of the structure illustrated in Fig. 17. Figure 19 is a view in sideelevation of one of the plurality of ported plugs forming parts of the casing of .the valve mechanism of Figs. 17 and 18. Figure 20 is an end view of the plug of Fig. 19. Figure 21 is an enlarged section taken at the irregular line 21-21 on Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows. Figure 22 is a section taken at the line 22 on Fig. 18 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. Figure 23 is a section taken at the line 23 on Fig. 18 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. Figure 24 is an enlar ed section taken at the line 24 on Fig. 1 an viewed in the direction of the arrow. Figure 25 is a broken view in side elevation of the ta'ppet-equipped portion of the apparatus for controlling the valve merhanism of Figs. 17 and 18. Figure 26 is a broken 25 sectional view of the valve connection shown in Fig. 24, this section being taken at the line'26 on Fig. 12 and viewed in the direction of the arrow, the valve thereinshown being illustrated in the position to which 3" it is moved for relieving the pressure in the hose-line. Figure 27 is a broken view in sectional elevation through the piston and cylinder mechanism, the se tion being taken at the line 2727 on Fig. 21 and viewed in 3- the direction of the arrows. Figure 28 is an enlarged section taken at the line 28 on Fig. 12 and viewed in the direction of the .arrow, the structure shown in Fig. 28 corres onding with the portion of the piston an cylinder mechanism broken away condition, at the left-hand side of this figure. Figure 29 is a broken vieW 1n verti"al sectional elevation of the lower portion of the grease container. Figure 30 1s a vlew 1n vertical sectional elevation, of the stem-equipped piston which operates in the grease container, 9. portion of the piston being shown in elevation and a portion of the cylinder of the container in section, the section being taken at the line '30 on Fig. 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; and Figure 31 a broken sectional vlew through the bottom of the grease container, the section being taken at the line 31 on Fig. 8 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. I

The particular apparatus illustrated in the drawings, generally stated, comprises a container 50 to receive a relatively large 6 amount of grease to be supplied to the bearings to be lubricated and which serves as a source of supply from which the grease passes to piston and cylinder mechanism represented generally at 51 which is operated by fluid pressure supplied thereto illustrated, in-

under the. control of automatically reversing valve mechanism and which operates to place the grease under the desired high pressure for delivery, as desired, through a hose-line, or hose-lines, to the nipples of 70 bearings to be lubricated.

The grease container 50 comprises the cylindrical side-wall-forming portion 52 surmounting the plate portion 53 mounted on legs 54, this plate forming the bottom wall of the container, a ring member 55 at the upper end of the side wall 52, and an upper-end-forming member 56. The plate member 53 is annular-1y recessed as represented at 57 to receive the lower end ofthe side-wall-forming portion 52, and the ring 55 is similarly recessed to the depth of the thickness of the wall 52, as represented at 58, to receive the upper end portion of this wall, the parts just referred to being rigidly secured together to produce tight joints, by bolts 59 screwed at their lower -ends into outwardly extending lugs 60 on the plate 53 and provided at their upper ends, at which they protrude throiigh radiall exill tending lugs 61 on the ring 55,-with 0 amping nuts 62. The inner bottom-forming surface of the plate 53, inclines in all directions, as shown, toward an outlet in communication with a pipe 63 through which 9:. the grease passes from the container to the piston and cylindermechanism 51, the plate 53 also containing a port 64 connected With a pipe 65 to receive fluid pressure for lifting the piston hereinafter described, in the container 50. The ring 55 contains three ports 66, 67 and 68 which open into the interior of thecontainer, the ort 66 leading to a pet-cock. 69 mounted in the ring 55, the port 67 forming a port through which fluid pressure discharging from the piston and cylinder mechanism, is supplied to the container above the piston therein for forcing the latter downwardly to discharge the grease through the pipe 63 to the piston and cylinder mechanism, and the port 68 opening into a relief valve 70, the ring 55 also containing a port 71 communicating at one end with a-pipe 72 which leads to valve mechanism hereinafter described and opens into the. interior of the container. The upper end of the ring 55 is internally annularly recessed as represented at 73 and provided with screw threads to receive the screw-threaded portion 74 of the member 56, which latter is recessed at its under side as represented at 75. the recess 75 being enlarged at 75 along an are extending at opposite sides of the port 66 to register wit-h this port. AS means for readily screwing the member 56 into the ring. 55 and unscrewing it therefrom, a lever mechanism comprising the lever 7 6 is provided. This lever is pivoted at its inner end on an upwardly extending 130 ion yond the side wall 52 of the container to.

permit of its being grasped by the hand of the operator, for operating it. The lever 76 is provided with a dependin downwardly spring-pressed pin 78 .w ich is adapted to be entered into any one of a circular series of sockets 79 provided in the member 56, to produce driving connection between the lever and this member,

'i this construction permitting the operator to sition is entirely housed within this recess;

. grease.

rotate the member 56 in either direction, as desired, by oscillating the lever 76, prelim.- inary to each of which operations the op c'rator re-positions the pin 78 in the openings 79, this lever mechanism operating somewhat in the nature of a ratchet lever.

The grease container unit also comprises a grease-dis lacing piston 80 located within the receptac e 52 and formed of upper and lower cup-members 80 and 80 and provided with an upwardly extending stem 81 whichslides vertically in an opening in the member 56, a stuffing-box 82 ensuring a tight joint between this member and the stem. The piston is of a thickness slightly less than the depth of the recess 7 5 in the member 56 and when in its uppermost po- This feature in connection with the feature of providing the inner surface of the wall 52 flush with the inner surface of the ring permits of the ready movement of the piston into the confines of the side-wall forming portion 52 in the replacing of the member 56 on the ring 55, following ,the operation of charging the container with The stem 81 of the piston 80 is hollow and opens at its lower end through the bottom," of the piston, it being provided internally with a taperedvalve seat 83 located below outlet ports 84 inthe .wall of the stem 81, and with which cooperates a' needle valve 85 threaded in- .a cap 86 secured to then per end of the stem 81.

the purpose pf t 15 valve being to. control communication between the space below the piston and that above the piston, to equalize the pressure in these spaces.

7 Referring now to the piston and cylinder mechanism 51 it comprises a cylinder 87 containing a ower piston 88 ada ted to be reci )rocated t erein by the intro notion of flui pressure'into the ends of the cylinder, alternately, throughports- 89 and 90, respectively, in the ends of the cylinder 87, these respective ends of the. cylinder containing exhaust ports 91 and 92, respectively,

the admission-ofthe fluid pressure to theseinlet ports and the exhaust of fluid pressure therefrom, for reciprocating the iston 88, being automaticall controlled hy valve mechanism hereina rdescribed and shown as mounted on the cylinder :87. The piston grease ends of the stem 93 being connected with grease-displacement pistons 96 and 97. The

pistons 96 and 97 which, as noted, are of I considerably smaller diameter than the power iston 88, are rcciprocable in similar displacement cylinders 98 and 99, respectively, shown as connected with the end walls of the c linder 87 and extending in ali ment witi each other and with the cylinder 87.

, In the apparatus shown the grease to be supplied to the bearings is caused to-enter the cylinders 98 and 99,'alternately, upon the suction strokes of the pistons therein, and be forced from these cylinders alternately, under the desired pressure, upon the movement of these pistons in the opposite direction. In the arrangement shown the cylinders 98 and 990 en, at their outer ends, into similar hollow heads 100 and 101, re spectively, each of these heads containing valve seats 102 and 103 with which cooperate check valves 104 and 105 which seat in the same direction, the check valve 104 opening toward the cylinder and the check valve 105 opening away therefrom. The ,valves proper of these check valves are in the form of spheres backed by seating springs 106 and 107, respectively. The hea s 101 communicate at their upper ends with pipes 108 and 109 which open at their opposite ends into a manifold 110 which communicates with the pipe 63 leading from the container 50 and through which the grease andipes 111 and 112, respectively, which open mto the ends of a manifold 113,-the manifolds and 113 being shown as supported-- one above the other on the cylinder 87, by means of clamps 114. i V

The manifold 113 into which the grease is dischar under high pressure alternate 1v throuli izhe pipes 111 and 112, is revided with a plurality of outlets in w ich valved fittings 115 are secured thesew fittings communicating with flexible hose-lines '116 adapted-to be applied to the. hearings to be lubricated. The fittings 115 communicate through 117, one for each fitting, with the mani o d 110, each fittin 115 containing a valve 118 containing a t rough-port- 119 and a branch-port 120,for a pgrpose hereinafter e' lained. x a v It wil be understood from the foregoing that u on introducing fluid pressure into the en s of the cylinder 87 alternately, and alternately .venting this cylinder ahead of the'piston 88 therein, the piston 88 will be reciprocated in this cylinder, with the result it through the pipe 109 by of reciprocating the grease-displacing pistons 96 and .97 which operate alternately to force grease tothe manifold 113.

Assuming that the parts of the piston and cylinder mechanism are in the positions shown in Figs. 27 and 28, and that the cylinder 99contains a charge of grease supplied to the action hereinafter referred to, fluid pressure introduced into the cylinder 87 through the port 89, the inlet port 90 and the exhaust port 91 being closed and the exhaust port 92 open, will force the piston 88 to the right in Fig. 27with the result of moving the piston 97 in the same direction and thereby subjecting the grease inthe cylinder 99 to relatively great presSurewhich forces it into the manifold 113 and into the hose lines 116 assuming the valves 118 to be rotated to a position in which their through-ports 119 communicate with the manifold 113 and the hoselines and shut-off communication with the pipes 117, the check valve 104 in the head 101 in this movement of the piston 97 closing 'as soon as the pressure in this cylinder exceeds the pressure of the grease in pipe 109.

In this movement of the piston 97 in cylinder 1 99, the piston 96 in cylinder 98 also moves to the right in Figs. 27 and 28, the check valve 105 at the outer end of this cylinder automatically closing and the check valve 104 adjacent thereto automatically opening, the latter as soon as the pressure in the pipe 108 exceeds the pressure in the cylinder 98,

whereupon the cylinder 98 becomes chargedwith grease.

Upon reversing the direction oi movement of the piston 88 and the pistons 96 and 97, by introducing fluid pressure into the cylinder 87 through the port 90,

the inlet 89 and the exhaust port 92 being closed, and the exhaust port 91 open, the piston 96 operates to force the grease charged into the cylinder 98 as stated, through the pipe 111 to the manifold 113 and thence to the hose lines 116, and the cylinder 99 becomes charged with grease from the pipe 109 as explained of the charging of the cylinder98 by the movement of these pistons to the right in Fig. 27. The pistons 96 and 97 thus operate alternately to force the grease to the manifold 113 and the hoselines 116.

The means shown for controlling'thc supplying of fluid pressure to the cylinder 87 and the exhausting of the same there from as hereinbefore referred to, comprise a valvecasing block 121 mounted on the top of the cylinder 87 and containing bores 122, 123, 124 and 125, allof these bores opening into a chamber 126 in this block, the bores 122 and being in alignment with the bores 123 and 125, respectively. Positioned in the ends of the bores 122 to 125, inclusive, are

plugs 127 to 130, inclusive, respectively, each of these plugs containing a passage 131,

'anism referred to.

these passages opening, respectively, into the bores referred to. These plugs also contain passages 132 communicating with the passages 131, the passages 132 .of the plugs 127 to 130, inclusive, opening into the passages 89, 90, 91 and-92, respectively. The bores 122 and 123 communicate with passages 133 and 134, which open into a passage 135 com municating with a pipe 136 for conducting into the valve structure the fluid pressure for operating the piston and cylinder mech- The bores 124 and 125 which are exhaust-bores open into passages 137 and 138, respectively, communicating with a passage 139 connected with an exhaust pipe 140 which communicates with the port 67 (Fig. 4) in the ring of the grease container.

The bores 122 to 125, inclusive, contain reciprocable valves 141 to 144, inclusive, respectively, the valves 141 to 142 being connected together for simultaneousmovement and the valves 143 and 1.45 likewise connected together for such movement. Each of the valves just referred to is formed of a head 145 having a tapered extremity 146, the tapered portions146 being in alignment with the passages 131 of the respective plugs and adapted to seat therein. Each of these valves is'provided with a reduced portion 147 in the rear of its head 145 which reduced port-ion, when the valve is seated against the plug with which it cooperates, is in registration with the particular one of the passages in the block 21 which opens into the bore in which the valve reciprocates. The structures comprising the valves 141 and 142, and 143 and 144, respectively, are cut awayintermediate their ends to provide the portions 148 and 149 of reduced diameter, as shown, and these structures are so proportioned, relative to the valve casing, that when the valve of one thereof closes the port in the valve plug with which it cooperates, the valve at the opposite end will extend in a position not to interrupt flow of the fluid between the valve plug cooperating therewith and the passage in the valve casing opening into the bore in which this last-referred-to valve operates, as shown in Fig. 18.

In the arrangement shown the valve mechanism described is operated automatically,

on oscillating the shaft 150. gThe 'yokes 151 and 152 are'shown' iii the form-of slotted plates projecting in diametricall opposed directions from a sleeve 153 encircling the shaft 150-and rigidly secured thereto as by the pin 154. The shaft 150 at its upper end is provided with a crank arm 155 which engages one end of a coil spring'156 connected at its other end, as vindicated at 157, to the block 121. The upper end of the crank arm 155 terminates in a roller 158 which extends upwardly into a oke 159 having a sleeve portion 160 at w ich it surrounds, and is ri idly secured to, a rod 161-horizontal] 121. The rod 161 is provided at its ends with arms 163 and 164 which project at their lower ends through slots 165 and 166 in the walls of the cylinders 98 and 99 and into the path of the movement of the istons 96 and 97, respectively, in the inwartfmov'ement of the latter, whereby such movement of the pistons operates to shift. the rod 161 and, through t e crank 155, actuate the shaft 150.

In the particular arrangement shown the supply (not shown) of fluid pressure, as for example compressed air, to be used as the power medium for "the apparatus, is connected witha nipple 167 which opens through a port 168, into the interior of a valve casing 169 containing arotatable valve 170'provided with a crescent port 171. The

valve casing 169 also contains a port 172 communicating with the pipe 72, and a port 174 communicating with the pipe 136, the valve 170 being provided to control commu- I nicationbetween the several ports 168, 173 174. The-port. 168 communicates with the pipe leading into the bottom of the grease container (Fig. 31) a shut-off valve 17 5 'being provided for controlling the flow of fluid pressure through the pipe 65.

Each hose-line provided for connection with nipples on hearings to be charged with grease, is equipped with a fitting at which it is adapted to'connect with the nipple on the bearing, and in advance of this-fitting is provided with a shut-ofl valve 176. Any desirable form, or forms, of fittings may be used. Where the nipples of the hearings to be supplied with grease vary as to form or size as they often do in practice, the fittings of the various hose-lines 116 may be constructed of different forms or sizes to adapt the apparatus to be used in connection with such nipples. In the apparatus shown only one form of fitting is illustrated for cooperation with a particular formof bearing nipple represented at 177 and shown in Fig. 13 as operatively assembled with a spring shackle represented at .178, this nipple being of the type comprising an inwar 1y opening check valve 1'7 9 and provided withradially-extending studs 180. The fitting on the hose line 116 for cooperation with such nipple,

slldable in-guides 162 rising from the bloc passa is represented at 181 and comprises a sleevelike member 182 screwed upon a tubular member 183 secured to the pipe extension 184 of the hose-line, the outer, open end it thereon, a washer 182", as for example of. fiber, being slidable in the sleeve 182 and a coil spring 186 backing this washer, the washer 182, in connecting the *fitting with the nipple, presing flatwise against the outer 'face of the nipple under the action of the spring 186 and forming a tight joint between the nipple and sleeve ensuring against egress of the grease through the joint under relatively high pressure, it being understood that when grease under ressure' discharges from the hose-line 116 into the nipple 177, the check valve 175 yields inwardly under the force of the incoming grease permitting the latter to pass into the -bearing to be lubricated.

' Assumin that the grease container 50 is charged with grease, and that the parts of the structure are shown in the position represented in Figs. 1, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 24, 27

'and 28, in which position the valve mechanism of Fig. 18 permits the flow of fluid pressure from the pipe 136 through the passages 135 and 133, bore 122, plug 127, and port 89 into the left-hand end of the cylinder 87 in Fig. 27 and opens the exhaust 92 therefrom to the plug 130, bore 125 and ges 138 and 139 to exhaust pipe 140, the istons 88, 96 and 97 move to the right in ig. 27, the piston 96 serving to draw a charge of grease into the cylinder 98 and the piston 97 serving to force the grease in the cylinder 99 to the manifold 113 and hose-lines 116. When the piston 96 nears the limit of its inward movement, it engages the arm 163, thereby shifting the rod 161 to the right in Fig. 27 which latter by reason of the enga cment of the yoke 159 thereon the plug 127 and open the port 131 in the plug 128 to the passage 134, and to close the rt 131 in plug 130 and open the port 131 1n the plug 129, to the exhaust passage 137. Thus shifting the valves referred to permits. the operating fluid pressure to enter the cylinder 87 at the right-hand end there of in Fig. 27, and the fluid pressure previously introduced into the opposite end of 'operator turns the valve 170 this cylinder, to exhaust therefrom to the pipe 140. The valve structure referred to remains in this position until the piston 97 nears the limit of its inward stroke where upon the rod 161 is shiftedin the opposite direction for actuating, in conjunction with the spring 156, the valve mechanism of Fig. 18, back to the position therein shown, whereupon the operation of the pistons is reversed and they again move to the right in Fig. 24. TlllS automatic shifting of the valve mechanism, controlling the reciprocations of the pistons, continues so long as fluid pressure is supplied to the pipe 136, it being understood, of course, that after pressure of the grease, beyond the piston and cylinder mechanism, has been built up equal to that generated by the operation of the apparatus, the pistons will come to rest, and remain in such position until the pressure beyond it becomes reduced, as for example by discharging grease from the hose-lines to bearings, whereupon the pistons will again start to move to reestablish the pressure in the line beyond it.

In the apparatus shown the fluid pressure exhausting from the opposite ends of the cylinder 87 alternately, through the pipe 140 is utilized to supplement the weight of the piston 80 for forcing the grease into the cylinders 98 and 99 to ensure the full charging thereof upon the inward strokes of the pistons operating therein, this being effected by reason of the connection of the pipe 140 with the port 67 in the ring55 of the container whichleads the exhaust fluid pressure into the container above the piston therein, the relief valve 70 ensuring against the building up in the container of a pressure in excess of that desired.

Inasmuch as the exhaust pressure from the cylinder 87, in the initial starting of the apparatus, may not be suflicient to create the desired pressure above the piston 80 in the grease container, provision is made by the valve structure of Figs. 9, 10 and 11, for supplying fluid pressure directly from the source of supply thereof. to the grease container above the piston 80 therein. This is effected by turning the valve 170 to the position shown in Fig. 9 in which'position the valve inlet 167 communicates with the pipe 173, and thus with the port 71 in the ring 55, through the medium of the port 171 in the valve. After the desired pressure is built up in the container above the piston the to the position shown in Fig. 11 in which position the source of fluid pressure is in communication with the pipe 136 of the-valve mechanism controlling the grease-displaeing piston and cylinder mechanism.

The valve 170 is adapted to effect 0,0111- munication between the pipes 136 and 173 or the purpose of permitting the pressure 7 below apparatus be shut down for a considerable period of time, the pressure, in such position of the valve, escaping into the grease container above the piston from which it may vent through the relief valve 70.

The adaptability of the valve 170 for connecting. the inlet 167 with the pipe 65, enables pressure, when the vali c 175 is in open condition, to enter below the piston 80 to drive it upward in the grease container, when it is desired to lift this piston preliminary to recharging the container with grease. The effect of the fluid pressure entering the container below the pisston 80 is first to cleave the bond between the grease and the underside of the piston and thereafter force the piston into the upper portion of the container. By providing the port 68 below the underside of the cylinder top 56, a space is provided therein in which the air above the piston is confined against escape, thus forming an air cushion which cushions the upward stroke of the piston 80, it being understood that the air displaced by the piston in rising escapes through the relief valve 70. The operator, after the piston has reached the position stated, opens the valve 85, to equalize the pressure above and below the piston 80 which thus becomes reduced to relatively low pressure in view of the provision of the relief valve 70. The operator then opens the pet-cock 6!) which vents the space between the piston 80 and the underside of the cylinder top 56, whereuponthe pressure in the container the piston forces the piston to a position in the recess 75, in which it extends wholly therein. The operator then removes the cylinder top 56 by unscrewing it from the ring 55, in assembled relation with the piston. After the container has been again charged with grease, the cylinder top 56 with the piston 80 remaining assembled therewith, is again applied to the ring 55 and screwed into place, the piston 80, remaining during this operation, within the confines of the recess 75. After the cylinder top has been screwed into place the piston is then lowered to engage the grease placed imthe container, it being understood that by providing the recess 75 of such size as to completely house the piston 80, and forming its side wall of the same internal diameter as the smallest internal diameter of the ring 55 andof the internal wall 52, the piston may be readily lowered to a position in which it extends into the side wall formin portion 52 of the container, the piston freely sliding downwardly, without obstruction, from the recess 75 into the stationary wall portion of the container.

diameter of theside .portions of the valves thereb 144, forcibly It will be understood from the foregoin description and drawings that the'severa valves 141, 142, 14a, and 144 (Fig. 18) ,Jwhen engaging with the respective ported plugs held seated.

which the op I are forciblby reason of tmxertion of aid pressure against them, and "that the provision of the cut-out portions 147 efiect. substantial balancing of the fluid pressure exerted against these valves at the portions thereof between their ends, to minimize wear of those surfaces of the valves which contact with the walls of thebores in which they reciprocate.

Thus referri to the valves as sitioned in Fig. 18, the su jection of the head 145 of the valve 141 to the fluid pressure entering the bore 122 through the passage 133 forcibly presses the head of the valve 142 against the ported ortion of the lug 128 to' form a tight joint; and the ex aust fluid pressure discharging from the plug 130 into the bore 125 and against the head 145 of the valve presses the head 145 of the valve 143 against the ported portion of the plug 129 to produce a tight joint. When these valves are reciprocated, as hereinbe-.

fore explained, to open the ports in the plugs 128 and 129 and close the ports in the plugs.

127 and 130, the pressure against the ends of the valves 142 and 143 force the valves 141,

and 144 against the plu 127 and 130.

These several valves 1n their closed position are subjected to fluid pressure laterally directed against them through the passages in the valve casing 121, but by providing the recessed portions 147 this pressure becomes substantially equalized around the reduced minimizing frictional resistance between t e valves and the bores in which they reci rocate.

While it is possible, wit the apparatus described, -to place thegrease in the hose-' lines 116 under very high pressure, suflicient to force the greaseintothe bearings to. be supplied therewith, even when these hearings contain hard accumulations presenting great resistance to the entry of the grease, it may sometimes happen that the accumulations in the bearings are so hard that they effectually resist the passage of grease into the bearings, and under such conditions, it is desirable that the pressure at the fittings on the hose-lines, be relieved, to permit the fittings to be removed from the nipples;

'. especially where certain forms of nipples are provided, and prevent squirting of the grease from the fittings. Such relieving of the pressure of the grease is provided for, undervcontrol of the operator, in the present apparatus, by the provision of the valves 118 which separately control the closing of the respective hose-lines to the hi h pressure 1nanifold 1l3, and the opening 0% these hoselines to the low pressure manifold 110, when these valves are turned to the position shown in Fig, 26 whereby the high pressure in the hose-lmes beyond this valve, upon manipulating the. latter as stated becomes reduced \VhatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a container for the material, means coxmnunirating with said container for placing the material under relatively lugh pressure, a COIldlllt, through which the material discharges from said means and a. valve-controlled by-pass by which communication between said conduit, beyond said means, and said container may be established without affecting the pressure in vsaid means. I

2. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a container for the mate-- rial, means communicating with said con-. tainer for placing the material under relatively high pressure, a conduit through which the material discharges from said means, a by-pass communicating .with said conduit, beyond said means, and with said container, and a valve insaid conduit at said by-pass controlling communication be I tween the portions of said conduit at oppo-i site sides of said valve .and communication between the portion of said conduit beyond said by-pass, and said byass.

1. 3. In apparatus of the c aracter set forth,

the combination of a container for the mate- 'rial, a conduit leading therefrom, means communicating with said conduit forplac-v ing the material under relativel high pres- .sure, a check valve in said con uit opening in the direction of flow ofthe material to said means, a second conduit through which the material discharges from said means, and a valve-controlled by-pass in communication with said container backof said check valve and communicating with saidsecond conduit for establishingcommunication between the discharge end of said secopd con duit and said container.

4. In a para-tus of the character set forth, the combination of a container for the material, means for placing the material in the container under pressure, means commumeating with said container for placlngthe material under relatively high pressure, a conduit through which. the material d1schar 5 from said last-named means, and a va ve-controlled .by-pass by which communication between said conduit, beyond s id. la t-named means, and sa d container may be established/ without affecting the pressure in said last-named means.

5. In apparatus of the character set forth, the. combination of a container for'the material, means for placing the material in the container under pressure, means communieating with said container for placing the material under relatively high pressure, a conduit through which the material discharges from said second-named means, a by-pass communicating with said conduit, beyond said second-named means, and with said container, and a valve in said conduit at said by-pass controlling communication between the portions of said conduit at oppo- -site sides of said valve. and communication between the portion of said conduit beyond said by-pass, and said by-pass.

- 6. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a container for the material, a conduit leading therefrom, means located between the ends of said conduit for placing the material therein under relatively high pressure, a by-pass connected at its 0pposite ends with the conduit at opposite sides of said forcing means, and valve means in said by-pass operatlng, when in one position, to effect communication between said bypass and the portion of said conduit therebeyond and close communication between said by-pas's and the portion of said conduit between said by-pass and said forcing means.

7. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a container for the mate- 'rial, a conduit leading therefrom, means interposed in said conduit for placing the material under relatively high pressure, a check valve in said conduit'opening in the direction of flow of the material to said means, a by-pass communicating at one end with said conduit between said check valve and said container and at its opposite end with said conduit beyond said forcing means, and valve means in said by-pass operating, when in one position, to effect communication between said by-pass and the portion of said conduit therebeyond and close communication between said b'y-pass and the portion of said conduit between said by-pass and said forcmg means.

8. In apparatus for the purpose set forth, the combination of a container for the material comprising a cylinder and a piston therein, one end of said cylinder being formed of a removable member cmitaining a recess into which the piston is movable against the confined air therein forming a cushion, said cylinder containing a port at its opposite end, means for introducing fluid pressure into said cylinder at said last-referredto end thereof, and a valve-controlled port in said cylinder communicating with said recess for relieving the piston-cushioning pressure in the latter to permit the piston to occupy said recess.

9. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a container for the material comprising a cylinder for the material and a piston therein, one end of said cylinder being formed of a removable member containing a recess into which said piston is movable against the confined air therein forming a cushion, said cylinder containing an outlet for the material and at the end thereof opposite that containing said recess an inlet for fluid pressure, and means for introducing fluid pressure into said inlet to move said piston toward said recess, said cylinder containing ports at said recessed end thereof, one of said ports being valve controlled and communicating with said recess for relieving the piston-cushioning pressure in the latter to permit the piston to occupy said recess, said piston containing a'valvecontrolled passage extending therethrough.

10. In apparatus of the character set forth,

the combination of a container for the material comprising a cylinder for the material and a piston therein, one end of said cylinder being formed of a removable member containing a recess into which said piston is movable against the confined air therein forming a cushion, said cylinder containing an outlet for the material and at the end thereof opposite that containing said recess I an inlet for fluid pressure, means for introducing fluid pressure into said inlet to move said piston toward said recess, said cylinder containing ports at said recessed end thereof, one of said ports being valve controlled and communicating with said recess for relieving the piston-cushioning pressure in the latter to permit the piston to occupy said recess. said piston containing a passage extending therethrough and opening into said cylinder at opposite sides of said piston, and a valve in said passage interposed between the points at which said passage. opens into said cylinder.

HERMAN J. EN GBRECHT.

ltit) 

